Wrexham are preparing for a mouth-watering showdown against Birmingham City on Monday night but Phil Parkinson could have one slight problem.
After missing the EFL Trophy win against Salford City on Tuesday night, Phil Parkinson confirmed that midfielder Elliot Lee is an injury doubt for the trip to Birmingham.
This news broke after Parkinson suggested that Lee potentially needed to see a specialist to clear up the problem, raising concerns over his inclusion.
Lee is a vital cog in Wrexham’s midfield and offers a goal threat that no one else can replicate from the engine room.
The West Ham academy has returned to League One on fire, much like the rest of his team, producing two goals and one assist in five matches.
Therefore, Lee being sidelined would be a huge miss to Wrexham, so here are three players who could replace him…
Ollie Rathbone can assume attacking responsibility
Wrexham captured Ollie Rathbone as their record signing from Rotherham this summer.
Signed as an attacking midfielder to rival the likes of Lee and Andy Cannon, Rathbone made his first league start for the Reds against Shrewsbury.
He made a decent impression as Wrexham brushed aside the Shrews but he’s very much in the transitional period of his career at the Racecourse Ground.
Rathbone needs time to get up to speed with Parkinson’s demands however, if Lee is absent, perhaps he can showcase his attacking spark against Birmingham.
Andy Cannon can fill Elliot Lee’s void
Cannon was left out of Wrexham’s win over Shrewsbury and against Salford on Tuesday as he nursed a tight hamstring as a result of fatigue.
The 28-year-old has been a mainstay in the starting XI since arriving at the club in December 2022 and Parkinson confirmed that Cannon could return against Birmingham.
Cannon previously said how Parkinson transformed him into an attacking force, something any other manager failed to do, and he’ll need to show that side of his game if Lee is sidelined.
Indeed, he could feature alongside George Dobson and Rathbone in midfield.
Sebastian Revan could continue in surprise midfield role
Parkinson was impressed with how Sebastian Revan performed in a midfield role against Salford.
The 21-year-old has shown great versatility in his Wrexham career so far, playing as a right wing-back, left wing-back and now central midfield.
Following his fine display against League Two opponents, he could call upon Revan to play in Lee’s role against Birmingham.
Although that is perhaps the most unlikely of the three options, with James McClean also capable, the youngsters’ pace and attacking thrust could be a secret weapon Parkinson could unleash on Monday.